What To Do
Find your situation below. No jargon, no runaround — just the right call to make, right now.
⚠️ Sending money right now, or about to? Stop. Hang up, close the window, whatever it takes. Call your bank directly — using the number on your card, not one anyone just gave you — before you do anything else. Every minute counts.
Money Already Sent — Act Fast
Time matters here. Do this first, then report it.
By wire transfer: Call your bank immediately. Ask them to recall the wire and request a “Hold Harmless Letter.” Then file at ic3.gov — the FBI can sometimes freeze funds if you report fast enough, but the window is short (often within 24 hours).
By gift card: Call the gift card company right away (Apple, Google Play, Amazon, Target, Walmart — whoever’s on the card). Some can freeze the balance before it’s drained. Keep the card and receipt.
By cryptocurrency: Report to ic3.gov — they can sometimes trace blockchain transactions. Include every wallet address and transaction ID you have. Also report to the crypto exchange you used.
By bank/debit/credit card: Call your bank or card issuer’s fraud line now. Ask about reversing the charge or transaction.
IRS / Tax Scam — Someone claiming to be the IRS is threatening you?
The real IRS mails you first — always. They never call demanding instant payment or threatening arrest. If you’re getting that call, it’s fake.
Report it to: TIGTA (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration) — tigta.gov or 800-366-4484.
Also worth doing: Forward phishing emails to phishing@irs.gov.
Social Security Scam — Someone says your Social Security number is suspended?
It can’t be. That’s not a real thing the government does. Hang up.
Report it to: Social Security’s Office of Inspector General — oig.ssa.gov or file at secure.ssa.gov/oig/scam.
Medicare / Health Insurance Scam — Someone’s offering free medical equipment or asking for your Medicare number?
Check your Medicare Summary Notice first — sometimes it’s just a billing mix-up, not a scam. If it’s not, don’t give out your Medicare number to anyone who calls you first.
Report it to: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or the HHS Inspector General at oig.hhs.gov or 1-800-447-8477.
Free help reviewing your statements: Senior Medicare Patrol — 1-877-808-2468.
Romance Scam — Someone you’ve never met in person is asking for money?
Stop contact now. This is one of the harder ones to accept, but it’s real — and it’s not your fault.
If no money’s been sent yet: Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and tell the dating app or platform you met on.
If money has already been sent: Do that, plus file at ic3.gov, and contact your bank/gift card company/crypto exchange immediately — see “Money Already Sent” above.
Tech Support Scam — A pop-up told you your computer has a virus, and you called the number or let someone remote into your computer?
Real companies don’t put their phone number in a scary pop-up. If someone’s already in your computer:
- Disconnect from the internet right now
- From a different device, change your passwords — especially email and banking
- Run a security scan
- If you paid, call your card company to dispute the charge
Report it to: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and ic3.gov if you gave remote access.
Family Emergency / ‘Grandparent’ Scam — Someone claiming to be your grandchild says they’re in trouble and need money now?
Hang up. Call that family member directly on a number you already have — not one the caller gives you. Even if they say “don’t tell anyone,” call another relative to check. Scammers are now using AI to fake voices convincingly — a familiar voice is not proof.
Report it to: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If money was sent, also file a local police report and see “Money Already Sent” above.
Free guidance: AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline — 1-877-908-3360.
Bank Impersonation — Someone claiming to be your bank is asking you to move money, share a code, or install software?
Your real bank will never ask you to do any of those three things. Hang up, and call the number on the back of your card.
Report it to: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov.
Phishing Email or Text — Got a suspicious link in an email or text?
Don’t click it. Don’t reply.
For texts: Forward it to 7726 to report it to your carrier, then delete.
For emails: Use your email provider’s “report phishing” button, or forward to reportphishing@apwg.org.
If you already clicked and entered a password: Change that password everywhere you’ve reused it, and turn on two-factor authentication if you haven’t already.
Identity Theft — Someone has your Social Security number or personal information?
Go straight to IdentityTheft.gov — it’s built exactly for this. It creates an official report and gives you a personalized step-by-step recovery plan.
Also worth doing: Place a free fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — you only need to contact one, they’ll notify the others).
Package Delivery Text — Got a text about a delivery problem with a link?
Real carriers don’t text you links like this unless you signed up for tracking alerts. Don’t click it.
Report it: Forward the text to 7726, then delete.
Lottery, Sweepstakes, or ‘You Won!’ — Told you won something, but you have to pay a fee first?
You didn’t win anything. Real prizes never require you to pay first.
Report it to: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If it came by mail, also report to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report.
Utility Company Threats — Someone claims to be your power/water/gas company, threatening to shut you off today?
Real utility companies give written notice, weeks in advance — never a same-day shutoff threat over the phone. Hang up and call the number on your actual bill.
Report it to: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and your state’s utility commission or Attorney General’s office.
Charity Scam — Someone’s asking for a donation, especially after a disaster in the news?
Slow down — legitimate charities won’t pressure you to give immediately. Verify the charity is real before giving anything.
Check a charity first: BBB Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch, or Charity Navigator.
Report a scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
When to Also Call Local Police
Call 911 only if you’re in immediate danger.
Call your local police non-emergency line if you’ve lost money, someone’s coming to your home to collect payment, or you need a police report (some banks/insurers require one).
Not Sure What You’re Dealing With?
If nothing above quite matches your situation, use our Check Something Suspicious tool → and we’ll take a look.